Black Marlin 3-2-1 - ReleasedFishing Report  Durban  09.04.2018What a day we had today, we launched this morning to look for a Marlin into a 12knot NE wind which just got stronger as the day went on until it peaked at about 28knots. Water was warm and light green. We headed about 70km out to our selected grounds and then turned and headed back. On the way out we hooked up a Dorado early but it came off on the jump after a short fight, then it was quiet for some time until we turned and just after we turned we had a small Marlin hook up and after 15 minutes it came off on the jump, we reset our spread and we had a Dorado take the line and again it came off on the jump much to all of our frustration, 3 fish off. Again we set the spread and continued in a following sea that was getting bigger as the wind was picking up and the Shimano Tiagra went off zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and this time after the jumps it stayed and after about a 20 minute fight we landed a small Black Marlin, as it was small we took the fish out for a pic and afterwards released it safely back into the water. We reset the spread and it was not long before we had a third small Marlin strike but it did not get the hook leaving us with a 3-2-1 tally. 3 Marlin Strikes, 2 Hook Ups, 1 Landed and Released. Frustrating to lose so many fish in one day but ecstatic we got the Marlin we set out for. Well done Bob on your first Marlin ever and your new personal best big fish.

Fun Family Fishing TripFishing Report  Durban  11.04.2018We launched later to try avoid the rain and the wind but the forecast was out and so we had a wet and windy day fishing with some showers that passed by 3 times during the trip. Before we even launched my Costa Sunglasses fell off my head into the Marina and I had to dive down to get them as I was not going to accept losing them, and so my day started out wet, then the sun peaked out and the wind died and we thought what a glorious day this will be, we were wrong. We got out and set a spread and then the wind started blowing, fortunately it was a long period swell and so even in a strong wind the sea was comfortable with a big boat like Fat Girl. We trolled for about 2.5-3hrs but there was no sign of any game fish and so we came in to fish shallow in the 40m as the current was screaming. 1st down and 4 rods got bent and we got some Slinger and so the day went on with Slinger, Snapper, Soldier Bream, Trigger Fish and Rockod being caught. These boys out fished their parents by a long way and got a fair amount of fish with some good sizes and had a blast really enjoying the fishing. The highlight of the day was when the 2 youngest simultaneously had a good hook up, each landing nice sized Remoras which made them work hard for their prize, it was a treat to watch them struggle and fight these fish up with all their might. In the end the whole family had a great day out with a lot of fun even though there was a little rain from time to time.

Good Tuna and WahooFishing Report  Durban  13.04.2018We launched this morning into a strong NE wind that the forecast said would die out early and the day was supposed to be stunning, but it did not happen and the NE got stronger and only died out late afternoon, water was green and water temperature is coming down. None the less we got some good fish with a decent Wahoo and 1 smaller and 1 larger Yellowfin Tuna.

Tuna on the bite today - Great fun on light tackleFishing Report  Durban  15.04.2018We launched this morning at 06h00 for a short 5hr charter and hoped it would not rain, we had to dodge one rain cloud and so had a stunning day today, water was clean and warm. The plan was to try for a short while for some Game fish on the light Shimano Tyrnos tackle and if nothing took a lure then we would go do some bottom fishing. The Tuna had their own plans for us and we had non-stop Tuna action for most of the trip with 14 hook ups and landing 9 Yellowfin Tuna for the day. The one Tuna screamed off and took us into the backing, we thought it was a big fish; then it rushed the boat, perhaps a shark was after it and it was not as big as the fight it gave. Another one we thought came off but to our surprise it was there well hooked on the Rapala X Rap 40 which got many of the Tuna today. The sea was awesome and the fishing was really fun today.

Last trips of 40 somethingFishing Report  Durban  25.04.2018So today marks my last fishing charter in my 40s, time flies by so fast that the roaring 40s becomes the flying 50s before one can say Bobs your Uncle. Our last 2 trips were half-day trips starting early morning and both days had a screaming reverse current making fishing very difficult even with nice flat seas. Mornings are getting chilly now and there is dew on the cars parked outside early every morning of late and so the signs are that we are well into autumn now and that winter is coming. Water is now under 24 deg.C.On the 1 trip we hooked up a very large Wahoo that I guess was just under 20kg but when close to the boat he did some heavy head shakes and we lost him about 10m from the boat, we also got some skipjack tuna. Today the current was also strong and we managed 4 x Yellowfin Tuna and some bottom fish.

Some good bottom fishingFishing Report  Durban  28-29.04.2018This weekend brought some cold water and we found no game fish but did see a Sailfish jump in the same area on both days. Bottom fishing was awesome and the current was mild and we caught a lot of fish both days, the bulk of the catches were Englishman, False Englishman, Slinger and Soldier Bream, but we also got some Stumpnose, Zebra, Rockod, Snapper and a few other species. We also caught several Remoras so there was probably a Shark or two around but we lost no fish to sharks.

Short Backline TripFishing Report  Durban  05.05.2018We had a short light tackle backline trip this morning but the dredger was busy in that area so I decided to go on the South side a little deeper. We did not find any shad or mackerel and there was a lot of those little sand soldiers around, but in between we managed a good Rockod, some nice Reds an Englishman, a Zebra and a nice Copper Bream which gave great action on the light spinning tackle. Not the usual backline fish as we had to fish elsewhere but a great day out.

Short Mini Deep TripFishing Report  Durban  06.05.2018We had a short 4 hour trip today. Wow what stunning conditions, sunny skies, light wind and flat seas. Strange current direction again today but the water was nice and blue compared to green yesterday. It is chilly in the mornings but today warmed up quickly. Water temperature is dropping as we head into winter now. We trolled just over an hour on our way to the reef to see if we could get a nice Tuna but with no luck and with it being a short trip we got to our bottom grounds and dropped our baits using light spinning tackle. 1st drop and we had a tangle with 3 lines and one of the guys hooked up a nice Englishman and after that we got more nice bottoms with 30 fish in total that were size, all undersize fish being put back. We also had some Shark trouble and lost some fish, sinkers and traces and he made a big swirl behind the boat on the surface revealing his presence when he gobbled up an undersized Yellowbelly Rockod as we released it, whilst everyone was reeling up so we could move away from the Shark I saw some larger fish on the sounder just a few metres under the boat and as the lines came up we had a bunch of Yellowfin Tuna follow the baits right to the boat and then they were gone before we could even get time to drop a jig. Our catch for the day was Englishman, False Englishman, Soldier Bream and Slinger. After the bottom fishing we trolled some Rapalas back to port hoping for a Tuna but had no luck.

A tough dayFishing Report  Durban  11.05.2018We got going at 06h00 and made our way out and started off trying to look for a Tuna. Conditions were stunning with flat seas and virtually no wind early and this picked up as the day went along. We went all the way past Umdloti and only managed 2 bonnies and then we started doing some bottom fishing up North and made our way back to Durban reef by reef. The sinkers were ice cold so the water at the bottom must be very cold. Some reefs held no fish whilst other had good showings the fish were not biting like they should and as the day went on the current was just getting faster and faster and faster and when we stopped it was over 5 knots and we had to make our way shallower as the day went on starting at 80m and ending at 40m to allow the sinkers to get to the bottom. In the end we totalled about 20 fish that were size and had to put many undersize fish back, we got a lot of variety of species as each reef has its own populations and got a really nice size copper bream. We had caught some Mackerel and I pinned these as live baits, one deep and one on the surface and they were not even touched.

The last weeks Fishing.Fishing Report  Durban  27-31.05.2018After taking some time off it is back to fishing, the last week has seen the water temperature off Durban go cold with today being 21.6deg.C. The last few trips have seen nice days but the mornings are getting cold and chilly so one has to layer up and then as the morning progresses the layers come off. In the past week we have had a reverse current and game fishing has been very quiet with no luck on the Tuna. Bonnies are out in full force and we catch a bunch of them every trip, you just cant miss them along with some Sarda Sarda showing themselves and some nice size Garfish. Light jigging and spinning with Shimano Socorro 5000 reels paired with Trevala Rods has proved to be great sport for these species. Bottom fishing has been OK with a few nice fish coming out and some good sizes too the variety at the moment is incedible. Starting back at work with a fun day out with the crew and friends and some charters on Fat Girl and Nawty Girl.

Winter Fishing.Fishing Report  Durban  June 2018June was not the busiest month for us but we got out a good few times. The Yellowfin Tuna have been absent other that a really good strike the other day we have seen no Tuna action, the Bonnies have been around in big numbers and have provided great fun on light tackle. Bottom fishing in general has been really good with some really decent size fish coming out, Shark activity has been very high and we have been taxed of a number of good fish over the month. Weather for most days has been calm and stable but there have been a few days with some heavy winds. With Sardine reported all along the South Coast I think all the Tuna have been down that side. If the sardine run carries on the way it has been so far it looks to make us a very promising Game Fish season this next summer.

July Holidays.Fishing Report  Durban - July 2018The July holidays saw both Fat Girl and Nawty Girl busy, all kinds of trips and lots of children. I love taking the younger ones fishing and to see the smiles and excitement always makes my day. On the many backline trips we did well with some good Shad and Mackerel being caught and on one trip we got into a school of Sand Steenbras of which all were released. Another trip saw a Guitar Fish being caught in the deep which we also released. Bottom fishing has been good with some nice fish coming out. Bonnies have been present in large numbers with many being caught on all trips and they provide great sport on light tackle. The Yellowfin Tuna have still been missing to my frustration and my guess they are around with the sardines. One on long trip we went down South and found a pocket of sardines with Sharks, Sailfish and Marlin smashing them, we managed to hook up a very large Black Marlin which is exciting for mid winter in July, but sadly the hook snapped and we dropped it which always leaves me frustrated. Early mornings have been very cold, but most days warmed up nicely and for most trips the conditions have been calm, there have as always been those frustrating trips when the fish are scarce or the weather forecast got it wrong but overall July has been productive thus far.

Tuna are starting to make an appearance.Fishing Report  Durban  21 July 2018Last 2 days have had some really nice mornings out, even though they started out very cold they ended up warm, the Bonito have been thick and there were times where we were not able to get all our lines out with the amount of hook ups we have had and many multiple hook ups with loads of Bonito providing great fun on our light tackle rigs, we have also hooked up a good few Frigate Tuna the last 2 days. Yesterday I saw some showings of larger fish which I thought were Yellowfin Tuna and so today we went out rigged accordingly with a plan and within 30 minutes we had a hook up with a lovely Yellowfin Tuna, after that the Bonito were hitting us again, even on the larger lures and hard as I tried we could not raise another Yellowfin. I think we will start seeing Yellowfin more regularly as we head into next month towards spring and am hoping for a fee biggies to stretch our lines.

Tuna Again.Fishing Report  Durban  10 August 2018Been a quiet and frustrating month and when one books a charter the weather turns bad and it cant be done and so today was our first trip for August, although the break was nice after a very busy July one needs to work to live. Trying to decipher the forecast for today was not easy as the various weather sites were all saying something different and so we decided to make the choice at launch time which was 06h00. I arrived at the boat at 05h00 and it was raining quite heavy and had been raining all night but by 05h30 the rain had stopped and at 06h00 we launched and made our way out to look for a good Tuna. It started with non-stop Bonnie action and we could not keep all the lines in the water, the wind was constantly shifting from SW to NW and the S-N current was quite strong and got stronger as we got deeper out so I decided to head back shallower. Every few minutes it was another Bonnie and some of them decent sizes too giving great sport on the lighter tackle. In amongst the Bonnies we also got some small Frigate Tuna. At 07h30 the heavens opened and we got drenched for 1.5hrs. After that the rain cleared and we ended up with stunning sunny conditions which at least dried us out. Whilst it was raining it was also freezing cold, wow even though I was dressed warmly I was feeling it and shivering at the helm with water seeping in everywhere. For a while the Bonnies went quiet with only 1 here and 1 there and then we got a bunch more as we started heading back to port and the was hatch looking rather full. Then all the action stopped and we were being entertained by 2 Albatross trying to snatch our Shotgun lure and we were all calling to the Tuna, when all a sudden. BANG the shot gun rigger snapped and ZZZZZZZZZZ as the shot gun rod bent over properly and the reel started to sing and it was not long before we saw the backing on this lighter tackle. After a really great fight we managed to land a really nice Yellowfin Tuna. By the time we had this on deck we had already passed our time and so we did not put anymore lines out and headed home. By the time we were back in port it was nice and hot and we all enjoyed this whilst removing all the wet attire. And so another great day out at sea.